Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
John 7:37-52
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
One of the biggest debates among sports enthusiasts I like to participate in is the question of who is the greatest basketball player of all time: Michael Jordan or Lebron James? Now I know I am in the extreme minority in believing Lebron James is the greatest to ever play the game. His ability to do everything on the court well, along with his size and speed is incredible. All he has accomplished in the NBA so far speaks for itself, and he still has so much time left in his career. No disrespect to Michael (an all-time great), but he’s no Lebron James. We’ve never seen anyone like him, and to me he is the greatest to lace them up.
There was another great debate which took place in the first century in Israel: Who is Jesus Christ? In John 7 Jesus was in the midst of His ministry in the land, speaking the truth of God’s word, healing folks, and casting out demons. He was performing miracles right in front of the people. In this passage he speaks again to how in believing in Him one can find satisfaction for their soul. In light of all of this, there was still debate among the people regarding who the people thought Jesus actually was.
The debate regarding the identity of Jesus still exists today. Similar to the Jews of the first century, there are some who see Jesus as just some good moral teacher. There are others who see Him as a prophet who came to tell the future. Jesus Himself made explicit claims about Himself all throughout the book of John. He claimed He was the Son of God, equating Himself to God (John 5:18-19). He made several I AM statements indicating that He was God as well. Based on said statements Jesus could not be just some moral teacher. It’s been said in this way: At the end of the day, either Jesus is a liar for making statements that were not true, he is a lunatic for believing the statements he was saying that weren’t true, or that He is Lord. Who is He to you?
The answer to that question is pivotal for the Christian. Who is Jesus to you? Here is the reality: the way we view Jesus will lead to how we choose to live for Him. The good news today is that the debate has been settled. Jesus indeed was the Christ! The scriptures prove that Jesus was not a liar nor a lunatic, but that He is Lord. He is the One who provides the living water for the thirsty soul. We do not have to go elsewhere to find the hope that is only found in Jesus!
So this morning choose to surrender to His Lordship and walk with Him. Choose to end the debate in your heart on whether Jesus is worthy to be lived for today and surrender to Him. May we pattern our lives to look like what we say we believe: that Jesus is Lord and that He is in control.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being who You say You are! Thank you for Your love for me! Help me to choose You as Lord and Master today and everyday of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.